Oh, I had seven villages dotted around the largest map which is now called "Germanic Valley". Each one had 1 retinue residing in a manor and 1 group of militia. My most precious and important village had an additional second group of militia as well.

The most advanced villages themselves never grew beyond 300 people each. Those were the ones where the spearmen clad in chainmail with helmets came from. Lots of smaller level 2 villages at about 100 people each, where the crossbowmen came from.

how much was the population of your village? im curious what percentage the 456 was compared to the total townfolk

Used this formation in my final fight against the baron: Half the enemy infantry got wiped by crossbow bolts before even reaching my melee troops. When the enemy melee infantry was routed, my spearmen charged the enemy archers. They had no chance.